President’s Message March 2014

President’s Message March 2014

I President’s Message

Ginny Jones, APR, FCPRS March 4, 2014

Dear Fellow CPRS Hamilton Members:

The deadlines for the Pinnacle Awards and the Special Awards (peers nominated by members) are fast-approaching (March 8th and March 14th respectively) and the National Excellence Awards and Major Awards are following close behind (March 21st). Test your mettle and you could be reaching for gold. Be sure to utilize the RACE (research, analysis, communications, evaluation) formula in all your Pinnacle and Excellence Award submissions.

Is there a CPRS member whose contributions deserve recognition? The local Special Awards and national Major Award’s programs provide excellent ways to draw attention to exemplary leadership. These awards are unique since they are nominated by members and there is no fee to enter.

Our luncheon and workshop with Katie Delahaye Paine was well attended and the “Queen of Measurement” was very generous with her time and practical know-how. Accredited members who attended the half day event earned .5 maintenance points and can update their maintenance profiles. Workshop slides are posted on Katie’s website.

Our Pint-sized Social Media programming returns on Tuesday, March 11th and the topic is, “Content Marketing”. This popular series is facilitated by Dr. Alex Sévigny, APR and pub snacks are included in the low registration fee.

Also, March is Membership Month with a great enticement for new members who sign up now – a 12 month subscription to PRSA’s Public Relations Tactics newspaper, courtesy of CPRS. That’s one issue per month for a year at a value of $79.10! Be sure to speak to your PR colleagues now and you’ll receive a $100 credit(up to $800!) for each new member that you refer and is accepted for membership.

II Professional Development @ CPRS Hamilton

5th Pint-sized Social Media: Content Marketing

Many experts and organizational leaders have said that the future of journalism lies in content marketing. The world of digital communication has accelerated this trends. How can your organization take advantage of in-house journalism and content marketing? What are the pitfalls?

Does your organization have a content marketing strategy? According to digital marketing consultant Ryan Northover, “Content Marketing represents a form of word-of-mouth marketing, whereby users consumer, engage and share your useful brand content. A strong content marketing strategy hits closer to the 90% trust level than any paid banner ad at the other end of the consumer trust scale.”

These pint sized conversations have become a great networking opportunity as we have regular attendance of 15 to 25. Make sure you bring your opinions and ideas since we learn a lot from one another!

Pint-sized Social Media: Content Marketing

Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Upper Room, Slainte Irish Pub

33 Bowen Street, Hamilton

III College of Fellows

Our own Jane Allison, Manager of Community Partnerships at the Hamilton Spectator has been named to the CPRS College of Fellows. Established in 1998, the College recognizes members who are, “proven leaders in the field and who have made exceptional contributions to the profession and their communities.” Jane has served as President of CPRS and as national conference chair when it was held in Hamilton in the 1990s.

Accreditation

Did you know that within the Canadian Public Relations Society, CPRS Hamilton has the highest proportion of accredited members at 46% of all full members? Last month, two members joined those ranks and they include:

Yes, you’ve still got time to complete and forward your Pinnacle submissions for Communications Programs and Projects which are due March 8th.

Take a few minutes to read entry writing success from multiple award-winner Carleen Carroll, APR FCPRS. Pinnacle entry fees are $50 per submission; $25 for the ‘Student Project Award’. Check out the 2014 Pinnacles Brochure and enter today. Don’t forget to follow the RACE formula in your submission.

Special Awards, which recognize peers who have provided exemplary service to CPRS over the past year, are due March 14th. Special awards are nominated by peers and there is no charge to submit. Categories include:

Bill Cockman Memorial Award of Excellence in PR

Awarded to a CPRS Hamilton member whose personal activities and/or leadership and commitment to the society or affairs of the public relations profession resulted in a striking demonstration of the profession’s principles, the society’s mission and/or code of professional standards or a notable advance in CPRS Hamilton’s prestige or personal activities and/or leadership that went beyond the call of duty or responsi­bility to employer or client and made a pronounced contribution to the status and acceptance of the public relations function.

Student Award of Excellence

Awarded to a CPRS Hamilton student member of a full-time public relations program who has demonstrated a clear understanding and application of the principles of public relations theory and whose actions and behaviour reflect professionalism, leadership and commitment to the future of the PR profession.

CPRS Hamilton PR Professional of the Year

Nominated by a member and awarded to the lead manager of an organization who has demonstrated a commitment to and belief in the value of public relations as an effective business strategy and has created an envi­ronment where public relations can flourish.

CPRS Hamilton Mentorship Award

Awarded to a senior public relations practitioner who has demonstrated a commitment to and belief in the value of mentoring.

Dr. Louis J. Cahill Distinguished Service Award

Awarded to a member who has demonstrated commitment to CPRS Hamilton in an exemplary way over the course of his or her membership.

Members interested in more information are invited to email Pinnacle Awards Chair Mark Gregory at mark@locomotionpr.ca

23rd Annual Pinnacle Awards Gala

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The Ron Joyce Centre at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University

5:30 p.m. cocktail reception

6 p.m. dinner

Dress: business or formal

Gala emcee and CHCH Host Annette Hamm is back again and our guest speaker, Lauren More, is Vice President of Communications for Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. Lauren leads multiple media relations, employee communications and social media programs and serves as a company spokesperson on a number of topics, including: corporate news, manufacturing and assembly operations, environment and safety, human resources issues and crisis communications.

Reserve your seat now for the 23rd Pinnacles Gala. Connect with your industry peers and cheer on the competitors. Click here to register.

V New Members

A warm welcome to our newest (full) members who include:

Caroline Bourque Wiley, Niagara Health System

Robert Faulkner, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Laura Johnston, City of Kitchener

Carla Marshall, City of Burlington

Christine Szustaczek, Sheridan College

Patricia Watts, Town of Halton Hills

VI Membership Month

During membership month, we’re asking for your support in spreading the word about the benefits enjoyed by membership. Who do you know that works in communications and who benefit from becoming CPRS member? It’s you, the member, who can truly tell the story! With our Member Referral Program, you’ll receive a $100 credit(up to $800!) for each new member you recruit. Your credits are applied toward all national programs and offerings, to help pay for things like membership fees, awards submissions, national conference registration, and accreditation fees.

New members who sign up in March will automatically receive a 12 month subscription to PRSA’s Public Relations Tactics newspaper, courtesy of CPRS. That’s one issue per month for a year at a value of $79.10!

VII 2014-2015 Board of Directors – Call for Nominations & AGM

Have you ever thought about serving on a CPRS Hamilton committee or on the Board of Directors? Committees include:

Mentorship

Membership

Communications

Pinnacles

Professional Development

Events

Most of our current Board members wish to stay on to serve; however, we will have vacancies in the following portfolios starting in May and are seeking nominations:

The Annual General Meeting for CPRS Hamilton is on Thursday, May 1st – location to be confirmed. As part of our program, inaugural CPRS Hamilton Legacy Fund winner Susan Emigh will share insights on what she’s learned through scholarship while completing her Masters in Communications Management.

VIII National Awards of Excellence & Major Awards

March 21stdeadline for Awards of Excellence and Major Awards submissions; National Awards Gala May 27th

These annual National Awards are a much anticipated event for CPRS Hamilton members. It is an opportunity to have your work recognized not only by your colleagues within the chapter but by your peers throughout the province and right across the country.

In previous years, Hamilton members includingHeather Pullen, APR of Hamilton Health Sciences, Janine Ivings of Town of Oakville andCarleen Carroll, APR FCPRS of Metrolinx have had their outstanding public relations programs and projects acknowledged with an Award of Excellence.

Established in 1962, the awards salute outstanding public relations campaigns, internal and external programs and tactics, and the dedication and contribution of public relations professionals like you. The awards also encourage continuous improvement in the practice of public relations. These awards are exclusive to CPRS members and are a tremendous source for profile and prestige for individuals and teams as they showcase Canada’s best public relations talent at work.

Perhaps you are busy working on your Pinnacle Award submission (deadline March 8, 2014) – – with a little tweaking here and there, your submission can also be entered into the CPRS Awards of Excellence. We encourage all CPRS Hamilton members to submit their campaigns and programs for consideration – – and with online submissions, entering has never been easier.

There are 13 team/individual categories within the Awards of Excellence, plus student awards and major awards. The Awards of Excellence categories allow submissions to be judged against similar work and represent some of the key practice areas and tactics within public relations. The Major Awards are Canada’s most coveted public relations honours and highlight the achievements, dedication and contributions our members have made to the Society and the public relations industry.

Winners will be recognized at the Awards gala dinner on May 27, 2014 at the CPRS National Conference in Banff. Submissions must be received on or before March 21, 2014, 5 p.m. ET.

IX Student Event – March 4th

Tips and Tricks for Landing Your First PR Job

Tuesday, March 4th 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Symposium Café Restaurant & Lounge

2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington

For students, March can be challenging time since they’re often wondering where and how they will land their first Public Relations job.

Join the CPRS Hamilton Student Committee for resources and refreshments as Sadie Wolfe, Nadine Nock and Marcy McMillian hold a special student members-only event to prepare students for the next step in their PR careers. Join student peers and learn from two special guests — Daryl Barnhart and Suzanne Vukosavljevic. This event is free for student members.

Note: Registering for this event at: studentliaison@cprs-hamilton.caautomatically enters your name into a raffle where it could be drawn for a free new practitioner membership($30 value).

X Mentorship Update

By Christina Jean Pierre and Rosita Carobelli-Zukowski

An Evening of Public Speaking and Facilitation – Workshop

Wednesday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m.

Brant Hills Library, Nelson Room

2255 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7P 5C8

The 2013-2014 Mentorship program continues to flourish with even more excellent programming lined up for the month of March. Come out to hear fellow mentor and business consultant and coach Gordon Neufeld, APR as he walks us through some invaluable public speaking and facilitation activities. It is an evening not to be missed.

Mentees: Please bring your handbook, in order to have your passport stamped

End of the Year Wrap-up Feedback and Evaluation

Wednesday April 16, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.

Splitsville Entertainment

1525 Stone Church Rd. E., Hamilton

The Mentorship committee is also busy planning the final event of the season, which includes a program evaluation and a fun wrap up event in April.

As always, the mentorship committee and Co-Chairs are available as a resource and for support. For more information or if you’d like to serve on the mentorship committee, please contact the 2013-14 CPRS Hamilton Mentorship Co-Chairs at cprsmentor@gmail.comor by phone: Christina Jean Pierre (905) 929 -9299; Rosita Carobelli-Zukowski (905) 920-3552

XI CPRS National Conference – Book Now!

ASCEND 2014, our national CPRS conference is in Banff, Alberta from May 25 to 27th. Enjoy top quality presentations and networking with over 300 participants from across Canada, all against the backdrop of the magnificent Rocky Mountains.

This year, plan your summer vacation around your trip to Banff, AB. This beautiful setting offers a variety of activities for you and your family to enjoy – including Banff National Park.To qualify for member rates, you must be a member in good standing of CPRS or a member of a Global Alliance member public relations organization as of May 25, 2014.

XII In the News Got some news to share? Or have you heard about a recent honour bestowed on one of your CPRS peers? Don’t be shy!! Contact us at gjones@acuityoptions.com.

CPRS Hamilton

The Canadian Public Relations Society, Hamilton is the voice for the professional development, promotion and recognition of professional public relations practitioners in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and Southwestern Ontario.